About the Old Market Hall
Repairs to the Old Market Hall
Prior to the repair programme a detailed survey of the beam-ends of the trusses supporting the roof revealed extensive decay. It was evident that these had been repaired previously and some were in softwood rather than oak. Over the years the thrust of the roof had been exerting a lateral pressure on the walls on either side of the Market Hall to the extent that there was over 100mm of outward lean to the external walls. This became clear when the 1970s Court fittings were stripped out and the plaster removed revealing the original Leele bed sandstone. During the repairs to the interior of the building, the remains of a fire-place were discovered in the gable facing the Music Hall; evidence of mortise holes on tie beams also proved that there was a separate room at this end of the building, providing privacy for the merchants. The fireplace also explained why the gable at the Music Hall had a wall of uneven thickness; this meant that all trusses were out of alignment.
The main structural problem that was identified in the repair programme was that the original substantial oak wall plate to the rafters and ashlar posts forming the roof had decayed and had been replaced with brickwork.
Only two short sections on either side of the transept survived to give a template for the reinstatement. The major repair task was to restore the original geometry of the roof in order to restrain the outward thrust of the roof trusses. It proved difficult to obtain oak in sufficient quantities with the desired moisture content that would not warp and twist on seasoning once in place. Accordingly, the decision was taken to replace the wall plate and for the roof spars to be replaced using laminated oak. In repairing the roof the opportunity was taken to renew the access dormers and bellcote on the roof.
The method of rainwater disposal from the roof has been improved and repaired and the cast iron rainwater pipes, cast by William Hazeldine, have been refurbished and replaced. These are amongst the earliest recorded cast-iron rainwater pipes in the world. Lead work to the valley gutters on either side of the main roof has been laid to new falls to ensure efficient rainwater disposal in future.
The Clock has been repaired by Joyce of Whitchurch and the mechanisms have been cased in Perspex so that visitors to the centre can see the workings of the clock.
Externally the decayed masonry has been repointed in lime mortar; decayed stones have been cut out and new matching Grinshill Stone inserted. A survey was carried out of the statues and carvings, so that appropriate conservation techniques were adopted for their repair.
Since the Old Market Hall is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Borough Council had to seek the consent of the Secretary of State for both repairs and subsequent alterations. Consent was granted by the Secretary of State on the advice of the Area Inspector of Historic Buildings and the Inspector of Ancient Monuments.